Nigerian journalists Gidado Yushau and Alfred Olufemi convicted of conspiracy, defamation
Abuja, April 14, 2023–The conviction of Nigerian journalists Gidado Yushau and Alfred Olufemi on conspiracy and defamation charges sends a chilling message to the Nigerian press and highlights the urgent need for authorities to reform the country’s laws and ensure journalism is not criminalized, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On February 7, a…
DRC authorities detain 2 journalists, threaten another with arrest
Kinshasa, April 14, 2023–Congolese authorities should immediately release journalists Gustave Bakuka and Diègo Kayiba, ensure the safety of journalist Sylvain Kabongo, and drop all legal proceedings and investigations against them connected to their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Around 9 a.m. on Friday, April 14, three Congolese National Intelligence Agency (ANR) agents…
Turkey charges 17 Kurdish journalists, media worker with membership in a terrorist organization
Istanbul, April 14, 2023 – Turkish authorities must immediately release all imprisoned members of the press and stop prosecuting journalists who cover Kurdish issues, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Wednesday, April 12, the 4th Court of Serious Crimes in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır charged 17 Kurdish journalists and a media worker…
Kazakh outlet Moy Gorod receives bomb threat
Stockholm, April 14, 2023—Kazakh authorities should thoroughly investigate a recent bomb threat against Kazakh news outlet Moy Gorod and take steps to ensure the outlet’s safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On April 7, an individual emailed Moy Gorod’s editorial office in the northwestern city of Oral saying they had planted a bomb…
At least 8 journalists detained amid renewed unrest in Ethiopia
Nairobi, April 14, 2023–Ethiopian authorities should cease arbitrarily detaining journalists during times of political tension and investigate allegations that security officers attacked members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Between April 3 and April 13, security personnel in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, arrested at least six journalists and allegedly assaulted two…
Georgian parliament suspends accreditation of 6 pro-opposition journalists
Stockholm, April 14, 2023 – Georgia’s parliament should revoke its decision to suspend the accreditations of six journalists from critical news outlets and reform recently adopted accreditation regulations, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Between April 3 and April 6, Georgia’s parliament suspended for one month the accreditations of three reporters and three camera…
Russian authorities charge journalist Roman Ivanov with ‘fake news,’ raid Prufy.ru office
Paris, April 13, 2023 – Russian authorities should immediately release journalist Roman Ivanov and stop harassing and prosecuting members of the press for their reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday, April 12, a court in the city of Korolyov ordered Roman Ivanov, a reporter with independent news website RusNews who had…
Journalist Karol Noroña leaves Ecuador after death threat
Bogotá, April 11, 2022–Ecuadorian authorities must thoroughly investigate a death threat against Karol Noroña, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure that criminal groups do not interfere with the work of the country’s press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On March 24, Noroña, a reporter for the independent Quito-based news website GK, met…
CPJ calls on Maldives authorities to swiftly investigate threats against 2 Dhauru journalists
New York, April 11, 2023–Maldives authorities must swiftly and impartially investigate the recent threats of violence and death sent to journalists Ahmed Naaif and Ahmed Zahir and ensure their safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Beginning on April 7, four unidentified numbers messaged threats to Naaif following the publication of an article by…
Bangladeshi journalist Ayub Meahzi attacked, thrown off building
New York, April 11, 2023—Bangladeshi authorities must swiftly and impartially investigate the attack of freelance journalist Ayub Meahzi, hold all perpetrators to account, and ensure the journalist’s safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 4, a group of around 10 men associated with a local criminal group beat…